I won the PRO battle! (but not the war...)

[LinkC]

Well, I convinced my sleep doc to "upgrade" my prescription to an M-Series PRO so I/we can monitor my therapy.

(She balked at the "Auto" model...and had a pretty good argument why it wasn't right for me!*)

The bad news is, she wants me to bring in the card for reading at her office, instead of "prescribing" a reader and software for me at home. Oh well...

Is this a standard memory card I can get a reader for at BestBuy? And how about the Encore software. Is that needed, or will something else interpret the data?

*She said the GOOD thing about an Auto unit is it adjusts up til apneas stop. But the BAD thing is it constantly seeks the lowest pressure, too. To do that it ramps down until apneas are detected, then takes 3 or 4 breaths to ramp back up to an appropriate level. She worries about all those that occur while it's constantly adjusting.

[jules]

get encore viewer and that USB card reader - the DT3500 - you can download your card and viewer will not erase it - you don't need a Rx to buy it from cpap.com (btw there was another vendor that was cheaper - google encore viewer and look at the sponsored link but ask cpap.com if they will price match)

[AuntieNae]

I just set the minimum pressure on my Auto at slightly below my titrated pressure .. and it has been doing just fine.

I bought my data card, card reader and software from cpap.com, just ask for the best price.

[GumbyCT]

Well, I convinced my sleep doc to "upgrade" my prescription to an M-Series PRO so I/we can monitor my therapy.

(She balked at the "Auto" model...and had a pretty good argument why it wasn't right for me!*)

*She said the GOOD thing about an Auto unit is it adjusts up til apneas stop. But the BAD thing is it constantly seeks the lowest pressure, too. To do that it ramps down until apneas are detected, then takes 3 or 4 breaths to ramp back up to an appropriate level. She worries about all those that occur while it's constantly adjusting.

Let her know if the machine is set up correctly it will go no lower than the lowest setting.

So if your titrated pressure is 9c and she writes the order for 8 - 12 cm (or 8-20cm) - it will never go lower than 8cm. If she lets the DME do it - it will likely end up set at 4 - 20cm and the 4cm is what she is talking about more events happening before the pressure comes up.

Talk to her maybe it's not too late?

[AuntieNae]

Thanks Gumby, that is what I was trying to say ..

[GumbyCT]

Thanks Gumby, that is what I was trying to say ..

Oh I knew that

[bdp522]

And don't forget an auto CAN be used as a cpap, set at one steady pressure. I see no reason to not have one.

Brenda

[LinkC]

...and a little PO'ed! My sleep doc wrote the new prescription so generically ("CPAP with data and smartcard capability") that my DME got me a RemStar PLUS with a card slot. The same machine I had but card-capable. So now I can save my compliance data to a card! Big deal!!! Wouldn't you think if I already had a machine that records compliance and the new prescription talks about "data capable" they would know it means a different level of capability?

So here's my plan, open for your suggestions: I go to the DME and tell them this new machine will NOT do what the Dr and I discussed. (I fully expect them to tell me it meets the requirements of the prescription, which should have been more specific.) I will say, yes, and the RemStar Auto--set to CPAP mode--ALSO meets those requirements, and that's the one I want! The prescription doesn't specify the PLUS, PRO, or AUTO; so why did you pick the PLUS? (I know why...it's cheaper!) I will tell them I want the AUTO, set to CPAP mode; the prescription would apply to that one just as well; and if I HAVE to go back for a specific prescription, I will take it down the street to XYZ Health Services. Once they give me the machine I need, you can come pick up your crummy machine. Or you can just order me--your CUSTOMER--what I want within the guidelines of the prescription.

Any thoughts?

[elader]

For sure, the doc intended the Pro. That's what they should have given you. Obviously it was only an error that they would be happy to fix. If they need clarification from the doc, he should tell them he wants detailed data recording abilities. Buncha cheapskates.

Then buy the DT3500 and the software.

[GumbyCT]

...and a little PO'ed! ...
My sleep doc wrote the new prescription so generically ("CPAP with data and smartcard capability") that my DME got me a RemStar PLUS with a card slot. The same machine I had but card-capable. Any thoughts?

Well yea...You are battling on two-fronts.

If it were me - I'd fire the doc.

It is reasons like this that you need to get the script "in your hand".

Will your Insurance let you buy from cpap.com??

[LinkC]

Elader-- Already got Encore Pro and the reader is on it's way! (And I sure don't want to use it just for compliance data!)

Gum-- It's my understanding they won't. They prefer I "rent" it for some reason. Or so I've been told. But then I MIGHT have heard that from the DME. Can't remember (see my other topic...lol) But my co-pay is $25/mo. Wouldn't take too long to come out ahead if I just bought it on my own.

Well, if my doc wrote a specific 'script, it would NOT be for an AUTO. She doesn't like 'em. So I'm gonna TRY for one from the DME (AUTO set for CPAP mode) since this script doesn't rule out AUTO capability. If I end up at the DME down the street, they'll be stuck with TWO used machines in 4 months time and no income from me to offset either one. I hope they'll be very cooperative to keep my business. (I'm prepared to also leverage the NEW DME to cooperate to GET my business.)

Man, I've spent less time and effort negotiating a new car than getting the freakin' CPAP I want/need!

[Jeeper]

LinkC,

You mentioned buying an apap online. If you have a prescription for a cpap in hand you can buy a cpap or an apap online. They don't differentiate between the two when buying online. They won't sell a bi-pap with a cpap or apap script. If you didn't get a prescription from the doc ask for one for your files. The doc will give it to you and you can buy what you want out of pocket. That is how I bought my apap.

Good luck
Jeeper

[ww]

LinkC,

You mentioned buying an apap online. If you have a prescription for a cpap in hand you can buy a cpap or an apap online. They don't differentiate between the two when buying online. They won't sell a bi-pap with a cpap or apap script. If you didn't get a prescription from the doc ask for one for your files. The doc will give it to you and you can buy what you want out of pocket. That is how I bought my apap.

Good luck
Jeeper

Unfortunately unless the prescriptions says auto cpap, cpap.com won't sell the auto model. I simply asked my regular doc to write a change to allow the auto cpap to be dispensed and they took that just fine. It is a racket and the law is supposed to be changed to not allow machines that are not data capable to be dispensed since there is absolutely NO WAY anyone can tell how effective the therapy is being dispensed.

For most of us, money is an object, but you can buy a top of the line Respironics Auto with Aflex for $595 with humidifier or a Sandman for $589 with humidifier mail order or a Intellipap auto w humidifier for $474 or $599 with software and card reader. All of these are a huge improvement over what they are trying to give you now!!!! Two masks cost almost this much, so even if you can't get your DME to cooperate, that is an alternate.

[Jeeper]

Quote from ww's post:
"Unfortunately unless the prescriptions says auto cpap, cpap.com won't sell the auto model. I simply asked my regular doc to write a change to allow the auto cpap to be dispensed and they took that just fine. It is a racket and the law is supposed to be changed to not allow machines that are not data capable to be dispensed since there is absolutely NO WAY anyone can tell how effective the therapy is being dispensed."

The following was copied from the cpap.com website a few minutes ago:

"CPAP prescriptions are accepted for Auto Adjusting (APAP) Machines."
Here is the link: https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescriptions.html#221

I have recently bought two apaps from cpap.com using a cpap prescription.

Jeeper

[6PtStar]

LinkC,

You mentioned buying an apap online. If you have a prescription for a cpap in hand you can buy a cpap or an apap online. They don't differentiate between the two when buying online. They won't sell a bi-pap with a cpap or apap script. If you didn't get a prescription from the doc ask for one for your files. The doc will give it to you and you can buy what you want out of pocket. That is how I bought my apap.

Good luck
Jeeper

Unfortunately unless the prescriptions says auto cpap, cpap.com won't sell the auto model.

Unless things have changed recently I think Jeeper is correct. If you have a script for a CPAP CPAP.COM will sell you CPAP or Auto of your choice. CPAP is not good for a Bi-Pap but is fine for an Auto.

Jerry